Set The Standard: Performance Repeatability

Some say you're only as good as your last performance. I say you're only as good as you average performance.

Often the leading metric for success is a singular variable. Max weight lifted, fastest time, highest jump, most points scored... As a result there has become a blur in what truly dictates high performance.

By all means they who scores the most points and lifts the heaviest weights often display the greatest level of athleticism, but what is equally true, is that many world records and all time greats are one offs, record holders never seeing the glow of the limelight again. Athletes/competitors like Lebron James, Lionel Messi, and Dan Carter all share a commonality in their illustrious careers. Performance repeatability. Not only do they dominate their opponents physically and mentally, but more so in longevity, Their average is far superior to most of their competitor's best. This is what makes them such superior athletes. Now we can argue that because of their immensely high skill acquisition, especially at a young age, that they were destined to always be better than the rest. However, skill can't beat out hard work. I don't want this to be a blog about hard work over God given talent as that's a topic for another day, so let's get to it.

What is performance repeatability?

Whether it be cooking a pizza to perfection or completing 500 laps at Daytona, the result is based on the average of all performances; from every dough mixture, proofing, and rise to the temperature of the oven and timing of the ingredients. Every shift of a gear and press of the clutch to the speed of the car ahead or when to refuel. Every bit plays a part, not one taking place without the other. As a result the overall performance is based on many little components. If we adopt this holistic view to our performance in our respective sport/discipline we can see what makes the difference between bad, good, great, and elite individuals. If an athlete is capable of repeating an advantageous action that results in positive gain in a game their performance is indicated as high. Take a sprinter for example: Usain Bolt wouldn't be the greatest of all time if he only won one gold medal. Not only did he win several gold medals in the 100m, he won them in several other running disciplines: relay, 200, 400m. Furthermore, he didn't just win, he set the standard. He set new world and olympic records and rose the bar to new heights. Much like Bolt, the most medalled olympian of all time Micheal Phelps is another prime example of performance repeatability. Phelp's impressive 16 year olympic career is the epitome of performance repeatability. Though both athletes had their ups and downs, overall their average performance was far superior to their opponents. In Bolt's last olympics he was heavily contested by Canada's Andre De Grasse, but still took the cake. What will come of De Grasse in Tokyo? Who knows. But for us Canadians we can only hope his performance in 2016 is to be repeated.

Let's further break down performance repeatability from the sprinter's position. As a sprinter, effectively their best performance will be their fastest time, However, it is the sum of all their sprints leading up to their final sprint that indicates if the athlete is elite or not. A sprinter who can run 100m in. 10.2 on their first attempt and then runs an 11.5 their second has a low performance output. A sprinter who runs a tad slower, say a 10.5 on their first, and a 10.7 on their second, has a higher performance output. Their ability to repeat their highest output within the nearest degree indicates a fit, fuelled, and functional body. Effectively any athlete/individual, in any discipline, if they can repeat a high output on a regular basis, are high performers.

What many high performance athletes have shown presently and in the past is their generality. Most, not all, but many top level athletes are generalists in nature. Having played multiple sports, acquired a great many skills, and have quite the back pocket of secret talents. This idea of being a generalist, I believe, aids greatly in developing high performance repeatability. Essentially, if you train in multiple disciplines and acquire diverse skills you effectively have very few holes to fill. Bullet proofing your skill set. Individuals who can acquire multiple sets of skills, apply them to their area of expertise, and form a targeted outcome are more often the people who have the highest repeatable performances. The Lebron James' of the world. Noting of course the role both physical and mental health has in the outcome of it all.

What to take away? How to apply?

Take away:

- Performance is not dictated by one variable, but by the sum of many

- Be a generalist not a specialist

- Performance repeatability is equally dictated by one's 'God given talents' as the hard work they've put in.

How to apply?

- Create diverse and challenging learning environments.

- Question everything and be prepared to learn

- Apply what you have learnt

- Aim to develop lacking skills that will improve your performance on the average, not solely on the top end.

- Develop a bullet proof skillset with diverse physical and mental learning environments/tactics/styles.

Performance repeatability is something I look forward to continue delving into as I continue to rack in experience working with young and middle aged athletes. With more data I will aim to develop a clearer picture of the impacts of performance repeatability.

Let me know with a like, comment, or share if you enjoyed the blog.

Please leave any questions pertaining to the text below or send me a direct message.

"Progression is built through consistency and tested by passion"

JB